Method for automatic start up of a communication terminal configured for voice communication on a communication terminal configured for text communication

ABSTRACT

In the case of a method or an arrangement for the automatic start up of a first communication terminal (EG A, EG B) configured for voice communication on at least one second communication terminal (CL A, CL B) configured for text communication, the voice communication between communication terminals is conveyed via at least one voice communication server (SCS) and the text communication between communication terminals is conveyed via at least one text communication server (TCS). The at least one voice communication server (SCS) and the at least one text communication server (TCS) exchange information via at least one conversion device (GW). The start up of at least one first communication terminal (CL A, CL B) is effected via the at least one text communication server (TCS), the at least one conversion device (GW) and the at least one voice communication server (SCS) to at least one second voice communication terminal (EG A, EG B).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the United States national phase under 35 U.S.C.§371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/EP2011/006512, filed onDec. 22, 2011 and claiming priority to European Application No.10016050.6. filed on Dec. 23, 2010, and European Application No.11005594.4, filed on Jul. 8, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to integration of data and telephonynetworks.

2. Background of the Related Art

The integration of telecommunication networks and data networks isbecoming increasingly important. Telecommunication networks are usedprimarily for communication by telecommunication subscribers usingtelecommunication terminals such as telephones. Data networks are usedprimarily for networking computers, for example PCs with servers.Methods and arrangements whereby applications installed on computerscontrol and monitor communication systems and communication connectionsare generally known as CTI solutions (CTI=Computer TelephonyIntegration). Both communication system ports and connections betweenports can be controlled and monitored in this manner. The respectiveconnections are temporary communication channels between two or moresubscribers to one or more communication systems.

When a CTI solution is operating, data with control and statusinformation are transmitted each time between a communication system anda CTI application (CTI application program). To this end, communicationsystems have special interfaces for the data exchange: CTI interfaces.The respective applications or PCs likewise have corresponding CTIinterfaces for this data exchange. For this, the CTI interfaces of thecommunication system and those of the application are connected with oneanother via a data line or a data network. Because the maximum number ofCTI interfaces in a communication system is limited, a telephony serveris often connected between the communication system and theapplications.

The publication WO 98/51092 A1 “Computer Telephony Integration Gateway”shows a public communication network with several communication systemsand a private communication network with several domains, each of whichfeatures computers with applications for controlling and/or monitoringthe public communication network's resources. The arrangement shownfeatures a “CTI gateway” as a conversion device, which changes the typeof data sent for controlling and/or monitoring resources from the publiccommunication network to the private communication network, so thatthese data appear as the data from one single public communicationnetwork, and conversely changes the data that are sent by theapplications from the private communication network to the publiccommunication network, as though they had been sent from a privatecommunication network with only one application.

DE 101 59 636 B4 describes a method for controlling and/or monitoringresources and connections using the exchange of data betweencommunication systems and at least one application, wherein the datahave identifiers that differentiate the resources and the connections,and the identifiers of the resources are converted during the exchangesuch that they present themselves as the identifier of one singlecommunication system with subscriber connections for the one or for eachapplication, characterized in that each of the identifiers of theconnection between resources of different communication systemscomprises one local connection number (call ID) of the communicationsystem that participates in the connection and one global connectionnumber (call ID) and in that through the conversion the globalconnection number (call ID) is transmitted to the application such thatit cannot be differentiated by the application from a local connectionnumber (call ID).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments relate to methods for automatic startup of a firstcommunication terminal configured for speech communication on at leastone second communication terminal configured for text communication, inwhich the speech communication between communication terminals isprocessed through at least one speech communication server and the textcommunication between communication terminals is processed through atleast one text communication server. Embodiments also relate toarrangements for automatic transmission of information on the startup ofat least one first communication terminal configured for textcommunication, to at least one second communication terminal configuredfor speech communication, with at least one text communication serverfor processing the text communication between communication terminalsand at least one speech communication server for processing the speechcommunication between communication terminals.

The XMPP protocol is a well-known type of instant messaging protocolthat plays an important role in computer-telephony integration. KnownXMPP protocol-based client/server architectures are operatedasynchronously to the telephone. Automatic connection and startup arenot part of known solutions. Embodiments of the invention may providefor automatic startup of a CTI server operating in an XMPP environment,for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The figures show:

FIG. 1 schematically, a first arrangement of system components forcarrying out an exemplary embodiment of a method according to invention;

FIG. 2 schematically, a second arrangement of system components forcarrying out an exemplary embodiment of a method according to invention;

FIG. 3 schematically, a sequence of steps in a method according to afirst exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 schematically, a sequence of steps in a method according to asecond exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 schematically, a sequence of steps in a method according to athird exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 schematically, a third arrangement of system components forcarrying out an exemplary embodiment of a method according to invention;

FIG. 7 schematically, a fourth arrangement of system components forcarrying out an exemplary embodiment of a method according to invention;

FIG. 8 schematically, a fifth arrangement of system components forcarrying out an exemplary embodiment of a method according to invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves a method for automatic startup of at least onefirst communication terminal configured for speech communication on atleast one second communication terminal configured for textcommunication, in which the speech communication between communicationterminals is processed through at least one speech communication serverand the text communication between communication terminals is processedthrough at least one text communication server. The at least one speechcommunication server and the at least one text communication serverexchange messages through at least one converter device, and the startupis signaled from at least one first communication terminal through theat least one text communication server, the at least one converterdevice, and the at least one speech communication server to at least onesecond communication terminal.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, whose featurescan also be combined with the features of other embodiments of thisinvention, startup signaling information is then transmitted between thetext communication server and the speech communication server if thespeech communication server has previously signaled to the textcommunication server that the startup should occur.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, whosefeatures can also be combined with the features of other embodiments ofthis invention, startup signaling information is then transmittedbetween the text communication server and the speech communicationserver to an extent specified in a prior signal.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, whosefeatures can also be combined with the features of other embodiments ofthis invention, the method includes the transmission of at least onepiece of startup signaling information to a communication terminal.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, whosefeatures can also be combined with the features of other embodiments ofthis invention, at least the speech communication server transmitsmessages without prompting.

Embodiments may include an arrangement for automatic transmission ofinformation on the startup of at least one first communication terminalconfigured for text communication, to at least one second communicationterminal configured for speech communication, with at least one textcommunication server for processing the text communication betweencommunication terminals and at least one speech communication server forprocessing the speech communication between communication terminals. Inthis regard, at least one converter device is provided through which theat least one speech communication server and the at least one textcommunication server exchange messages. The startup information for atleast the first communication terminal is transmitted through the atleast one text communication server, the at least one converter device,and the at least one speech communication server to at least one secondcommunication terminal.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, whose featurescan also be combined with the features of other embodiments of thisinvention, the arrangement is configured such that startup signalinginformation is transmitted between the speech communication server andthe text communication server if the speech communication server haspreviously signaled to the text communication server that thetransmission should occur.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, whosefeatures can also be combined with the features of other embodiments ofthis invention, startup signaling information is transmitted between thespeech communication server and the text communication server to anextent specified in a prior signal.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, whosefeatures can also be combined with the features of other embodiments ofthis invention, at least one piece of startup signaling information thatis transmitted to a communication terminal includes at least one pieceof operating information.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, whosefeatures can also be combined with the features of other embodiments ofthis invention, at least the speech communication server transmitsmessages without prompting.

Depending upon the embodiment, an advantage of the solution according tothe invention is that a method for automatic startup of a communicationterminal configured for speech communication on a communication terminalconfigured for text communication can start up version-dependent CTIcontrol, known as “machine-to-machine” communication, by itself(automatically) without parameters needing to be configured for this.Both “machines,” i.e., the switch (the PBX) and the XMPP server,communicate their CTI capabilities to each other and adapt by themselves(automatically) to the abilities of their partners without outsideintervention (negotiation of capabilities). This means that a user (ingeneral and for start/restart) does not have to go through anyregistration procedures (such as configuration during setup/installationof a program like Microsoft Word). The invention therefore provides thebasis for synchronization between (switch/PBX=Speech server and XMPPserver=Presence server) and marries Speech with Presence (similar to therelationship between motor and chassis).

The invention is described below in more detail based on preferredexemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1 presents one preferred exemplary embodiment of an arrangementaccording to the invention. In this example a speech communicationserver SCS is connected with two terminals EGA and EGB configured forspeech communication, and exchanges speech messages and statusinformation 15, 16 with these two communication terminals. For example,if the status of the communication terminal EGA changes, then saidcommunication terminal EGA transmits a corresponding status informationitem to the speech communication server SCS, whereupon the lattertransmits the status information or corresponding status changeinformation 14 to the converter device GW. Thereupon, the converterdevice GW transmits corresponding status information or status changeinformation 13 to the text communication server TCS with which the twotext communication clients CLA and CLB are communicating 11, 12. In thisexample, the text communication client CLA is used by the communicationsubscriber who is also using the speech communication terminal EGA.Accordingly, the text communication client CLB is used by thecommunication subscriber who is also using the speech communicationterminal EGB.

In this manner it is possible for the communication subscriber who isusing the text communications client CLB to be informed of a change instatus of the speech communication terminal EGA, without user A havingto initiate a manual transmission of information to user B.

Embedding the call control gateway CCGW into the overall system, shownin FIG. 2, which can be done with OpenScape Office MX, for example, isshown only as an example and is intended to represent the general ideaof the invention, in which the method for automatic startup of at leastone first telecommunication terminal (EG A, EG B) configured for speechcommunication on at least one second telecommunication terminal (CL A,CL B) configured for text communication, in which the speechcommunication between communication terminals is processed through atleast one speech communication server (SCS) and the text communicationbetween communication terminals is processed through at least one textcommunication server (TCS), is such that the at least one speechcommunication server (SCS) and the at least one text communicationserver (TCS) exchange messages through at least one converter device(GW), and is such that the startup of at least the first communicationterminal (CL A, CL B) is signaled through the at least one textcommunication server (TCS), the at least one converter device (GW), andthe at least one speech communication server (SCS) to the at leastsecond communication terminal (EG A, EG B).

In this embodiment, the speech communication server SCS consists of aCSTA service provider (CSP), a feature processor (FP), and a LAN devicehandler (LDH), among other things. The references EG A and EG Bdesignate terminals as shown, GW designates a call control gateway(CCGW), the text communication server (TCS) in this example is anOpenfire XMPP server, and the clients CL A and CL B are represented bySpark XMPP clients (S1, S2), for example. Here it is possible, but notnecessary, for the components described above to be physically connectedto each other or located within a certain domain.

The communication channel (13) between the CCGW (GW) and the XMPP (TCS)server can consist of an XMPP server/server connection, with the CCGWacting as a standalone XMPP server. It can also consist of an XMPPclient/server connection in which the CCGW is handled as a client in theXMPP server (e.g., Openfire). A third possibility is for the CCGW to bea server component of the XMPP server, as in XEP 0114, for example. Thecommunication channel (13) between the CCGW (GW) and the XMPP (TCS)server is also used, for example, to transmit startup information fromat least one first communication terminal (CL A, CL B) through the atleast one text communication server (TCS), the at least one converterdevice (GW), and the at least one speech communication server (SCS) tothe at least one second communication terminal (EG A, EG B).

The PBX, a switching system, and the instant messaging server XS, forexample an XMPP server, are connected using a call control gateway(CCGW). The CCGW is the connection between the CTI of a PBX and the XMPPserver. An XMPP client can subscribe to and provide CTI services viathis call control gateway. In one embodiment of the invention, thispreferably consists of the CSTA call control services and eventsdescribed in ECMA-269 (Standard ECMA-269, Services forComputer-Supported Telecommunications Applications (CSTA) Phase III, 8thedition (June 2009)). This document(http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-269.htm)is part of this description.

On the one side, the connection to the feature processor is establishedvia CSTA XML by means of a so-called CSTA service provider (CSP). On theother side, the CSTA is transmitted via XMPP to the XMPP server(Openfire in the embodiment according to the figure). Using the CCGW, anXMPP client (Spark in the embodiment according to the figure) cansubscribe to CTI services.

To guarantee automatic startup of the CTI functionality, the followingsteps should be followed:

Step 1:

Upon signing on to the server, the client asks for the server'scharacteristics through the Discovery service (in an embodimentaccording to XEP-0030). The response includes one or more <feature/>elements, among other things. Each of these elements includes a “var”attribute that represents the supported namespace. The possible CTIfunctionality is added in this available namespace.

If the response in the received <feature/> elements contains a referenceto general or version-specific CTI support, a positive query result (theclient supports this CTI version) allows CTI services to be requestedfrom the server by means of a query stanza from the determinednamespace, contained in a “Get” type of IQ stanza.

If the response from the server includes multiple CTI versions that theclient also supports, the client is given a choice from a priority listwith prioritized CTI versions or namespaces or can choose the firstnamespace named in the response.

When there is general CTI support from the server, the CTI version queryoccurs only after a request for CTI functionality.

Step 2:

When a client uses the Discovery service (in one embodiment according toXEP-0030), the server sends the CTI versions that it supports throughthe namespace established for the <feature/> elements.

Depending upon the embodiment of the invention, it preferably supportsthe CSTA XML Edition 3 (<featurevar=“http://www.ecma-international.org/standards/ecma-323/csta/ed3”/>)or the CST XML Edition 5 (<featurevar=“http://www.ecma-international.org/standards/ecma-323/csta/ed5”/>).

Concrete support of a CTI version allows the server to run its ownvalidation tests. One type of validation test is positive assignment ofthe requested CTI service to the JabberID and the call number assignedto the client. This allows the server to make decisions regarding thequality of the CTI connection (1st party or 3rd party).

With a 1st-party CTI connection, the client can only execute CTIservices for the call number assigned the Jabber ID; other servicerequests will be denied. With a 3rd-party CTI connection, the client canexecute CTI services for any call numbers.

If the server does not support a concrete CTI version, the server canleave CTI version testing to the CCGW or the CTI instance next in line.

For the CTI request by the client through IQ, the server sends back thestatus of the CCGW and the call numbers assigned to the client (devicelist).

To make networking scenarios possible, as an option this response canalso refer to another server that also supports CTI functionality. Inthis case, the response does not provide a device list, and the CCGWstatus is stated as “unknown.” The client's next step is to start overwith the Discovery service using the now-known server.

Another networking possibility is having a single server supportmultiple CCGWs.

If the server receives a login/logoff message from the CCGW, the serversends a status message to all clients that have subscribed to CTIfunctionality. This status message is also generated by the server whenthe connection to the CCGW is terminated.

Step 3:

Logging in to the server makes the CTI connection available. The CCGWchecks the CTI version and terminates the connection if the CCGW doesnot support that CTI version. If applicable, the CCGW leaves CTI versiontesting to the CTI instance next in line.

As an option, the direct presence status can be used to supportautomatic startup.

a) CCGW Availability

After the CCGW starts, it sends a direct presence message to the XMPPserver that provides the CTI functionality. This causes the XMPP serverto start a mechanism that informs any already registered CTI-capableclients assigned to this CCGW that the CCGW is now available (this isuseful when the XMPP server has multiple CCGWs available).

If the connection between the CCGW and the CTI-controlled XMPP server isnow unexpectedly terminated, the XMPP server receives the presencemessage telling it that the CCGW is no longer available. This allows theXMPP server to inform all logged-in clients assigned to this CCGW thattheir CCGW is currently no longer available and therefore CTIfunctionality has been discontinued.

b) Availability of a CSTA-Capable Client

If a client receives a status message from an XMPP server saying thatthe assigned CCGW is now reachable (regardless of whether the statusmessage is the response from the XMPP server to the CTI service query orwhether the status message is the result of a subsequently availableCCGW), then the client sends a direct presence message to the CCGW. Thiscauses the XMPP server to inform the CCGW if the client is no longeravailable, even if the CCGW is not in the client's contact list.

If the CCGW reports that one of its clients is no longer available, thenthe system tests to see whether that client has a monitor point set. Ifso, a “MonitorStop” can be sent automatically in place of that client tothe CTI instance next in line.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 show examples of the Discovery service and thesubsequent CTI service requests.

In FIG. 3, the CSTA-enabled XMPP client represented by the left verticalline sends a message within the Discovery service to the XMPP serverwith CTI plugin represented by the right vertical line. The CTI-enabledXMPP server responds to this query. This allows the client to recognizethe CTI capability of the XMPP server, and the client then requests aCTI service, to which the XMPP server responds with the assigned device,address, and status of the CCGW.

The CCGW login and logout while clients are already logged in aredescribed below based on various embodiments of the invention.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is based on the assumption that the threeclients have already logged in to the XMPP server as previouslydescribed.

For reasons of clarity, the messages between the XMPP server and thethree CSTA-capable clients shown here are shortened, and the clientacknowledgement (“result” type of IQ stanza and in it a query stanza forthe namespacehttp://vvww.ecma-international.org/standards/ecma-323/cstaied3) is notshown.

FIG. 4 shows the CCGW login using a direct presence message with an XMPPserver. FIG. 5 shows a message flow in the case of an unexpectedbreakdown in the connection between the CCGW and the XMPP server.

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show possible networking scenarios involving severalembodiments of the invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, aserver 63, preferably an XMPP server with a configuration plugin forCSTA through XMPP, has assigned two different CCGWs 64, 65, with whichit communicates preferably through message paths 68, 69. The server 63communicates preferably through the message paths 66, 67 with clients61, 62, which are preferably XMPP clients with a CTI plugin. Theconfiguration plugin preferably is set to indicate to which CCGW aclient's messages will be forwarded.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, each of the two servers 73, 74 has aCCGW 75, 76 in its domain. The servers 73 and 74 are preferably XMPPservers. The message paths 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d, and 7 e represent themessage paths via which the units 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76 communicatewith each other. It is preferably possible for the CCGW of anotherdomain to be used as well. This makes it possible, for example, for theclient 72 or the client 71 to use the CCGW 75 or 76, although they arein different domains. The clients 71 and 72 are preferably XMPP clients.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the server 82 of the client 81 doesnot have the full configuration plugin, but rather a reducedconfiguration plugin, which refers the client 81 to another server 83that does have the full plugin. The message paths 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, and 8 drepresent the message paths via which the units 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85communicate with each other. The servers 82 and 83 are preferably XMPPservers. The client 81 is preferably an XMPP client.

Embedding into the overall system, as in the example of OpenScape OfficeMX, is intended to represent a general approach, in which the method forautomatic startup of at least one first telecommunication terminal (EGA, EG B) configured for speech communication on at least one secondtelecommunication terminal (CL A, CL B) configured for textcommunication, in which the speech communication between communicationterminals is processed through at least one speech communication server(SCS) and the text communication between communication terminals isprocessed through at least one text communication server (TCS), ischaracterized in that the at least one speech communication server (SCS)and the at least one text communication server (TCS) exchange messagesthrough at least one converter device (GW), and in that the startup ofthe at least first communication terminal (CL A, CL B) is transmittedthrough the at least one text communication server (TCS), the at leastone converter device (GW), and the at least one speech communicationserver (SCS) to the at least second communication terminal (EG A, EG B).

The components of the OpenScape Office MX are preferably:

-   SCS: including CSTA Service Provider (CSP), Feature Processor (FP),    and LAN Device Handler (LDH), among other things-   EG A, EG B: communication terminals-   GW: Call Control Gateway (CCGW)-   TCS: XMPP Server—Openfire-   CL A, CL B: XMPP Clients—Spark

Here it is not necessary for the components described above to bephysically connected to each other or located within a certain domain.

The communication channel between the CCGW and the XMPP serverpreferably consists of:

-   -   either an XMPP server        server connection, i.e. the CCGW acts as an autonomous XMPP        server;    -   or an XMPP client        server connection, i.e., the CCGW is handled as a client in the        XMPP server (e.g., Openfire);    -   or a server component, e.g., according to XEP 0114, i.e., the        CCGW is a server component of the XMPP server.

1. A method for automatic startup of at least one first communicationterminal configured for speech communication on at least one secondcommunication terminal configured for text communication, in which thespeech communication between communications terminals is processed overat least one speech communications server and the text communicationbetween communications terminals is processed over at least one textcommunications server comprising, exchanging messages between the atleast one speech communication server and the at least one textcommunication server over at least one converter device and signalingthe startup of at least one first communication terminal via the atleast one text communication server, the at least one converter device,and the at least one speech communication server to at least one secondcommunication terminal.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprisingtransmitting startup signaling information between the textcommunication server and the speech communication server if the speechcommunication server has previously signaled to the text communicationserver that the startup should occur.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinstartup signaling information is transmitted between the textcommunication server and the speech communication server to the extentspecified in a prior signal.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising transmitting at least one piece of startup signalinginformation to a communication terminal.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein at least the speech communication server transmits messageswithout prompting.
 6. A system for automatic transmission of startupinformation for at least one first communication terminal configured fortext communication to at least one second communication terminalconfigured for speech communication, with at least one textcommunication server for processing the text communication betweencommunication terminals, and at least one speech communication serverfor processing the speech communication between communicationsterminals, comprising at least one converter device, through which theat least one speech communication server and the at least one textcommunication server exchange messages, and wherein startup signalinginformation for at least the first communication terminal is transmittedthrough the at least one text communication server, the at least oneconverter device, and the at least one speech communications server toat least one second communication terminal.
 7. The system of claim 6,where startup signaling information is transmitted between the speechcommunication server and the text communication server if the speechcommunication server has previously signaled to the text communicationserver that the transmission should occur.
 8. The system of claim 7,configured such that startup signaling information is transmittedbetween the speech communication server and the text communicationserver to the extent specified by a previous signaling.
 9. The system ofclaim 6 wherein at least one piece of startup signaling informationtransmitted to a communication terminal contains at least one piece ofoperating information.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein at least thespeech communication server transmits messages without prompting.